The United Nations General Assembly this week will place the war in Ukraine and the visit of its president at the forefront of global attention.

However, developing nations are also vying for recognition as they push for accelerated efforts to combat poverty and inequality.

This marks the first comprehensive gathering of world leaders since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international travel three years ago.

This annual assembly occurs during a notably divisive and polarizing period in history, widely considered the most perilous since the Cold War, according to numerous analysts and diplomats, the Associated Press has reported.

Key factors contributing to this assessment include Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which further strained relations among major powers, as well as the ongoing repercussions of the pandemic, surging food prices, an escalating climate crisis, intensifying conflicts, and the global community’s inability to effectively address poverty, hunger, and gender disparities.

For developing nations, the highest priority is the U.N.’s two-day summit commencing on Monday, aimed at mobilizing world leaders to take action towards achieving 17 comprehensive global objectives by 2030.

These objectives encompass not only the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger but also ensuring access to quality secondary education for all children, advancing gender equality, and undertaking urgent measures to combat climate change.

Currently, progress towards these goals remains inadequate, with none on track to be realized.

Additionally, high-level discussions on critical topics such as pandemic prevention and universal healthcare are also scheduled.

Written by staff